THE VOICE: Bebe Rexha Joins as the Comeback Stage Coach

Bebe Rexha has joined THE VOICE as the Comeback Stage coach. (Kelsea Ballerini filled that role for contestants during its inaugural run in season 15; she’s Team Kelly’s Battle Round mentor this year.)

“We really liked and saw a lot of interest and viewership in it,” THE VOICE executive producer Audrey Morrissey told reporters. However, after its first go-round, they made some adjustments: “There were some criticisms of it: How could somebody who didn’t get a chair turned in the blinds all of a sudden be in the live show, while people who made it further didn’t get that opportunity? We really heard that and saw that and tweaked it. This season, people that don’t advance from every round [will] get pulled into the comeback stage.”

Morrissey also had praise for Rexha. “She’s incredible. She’s one of the bright young talents out there on the scene,” she gushed. “She’s an amazing talent, not only as an artist but a writer. We knew she would bring a lot to the table.”

Of course, Rexha isn’t the only new addition to the series—John Legend makes his coaching debut in the show’s February 25 premiere. “It’s hard to put into words what he’s added; I keep saying he’s elevated the show,” Morrissey said. “He’s just an inspiring person. When you’re around him, you want to be your best self, that’s all I can say. Everyone had to raise their game on so many levels.”

“Beyond that, he’s just such a warm person,” she continued. But she warned his kindness shouldn’t be mistaken for weakness: “He is very competitive. They all are…he’s in a thousand percent. It’s exciting.”

Fellow coaches Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, and Kelly Clarkson were so wary of Legend that more than one of them utilized their one-time block on him—and early. “We loved the block,” Morrissey said. “We liked how it switched up the dynamic. As you saw, everyone saw John as a big threat, and instantly used it as a very proactive stance of defense.”

The show itself will also undergo a slight change as it shrinks from its twice-weekly airing to once-a-week for about a month during the middle of the season. But despite the lack of episodes, Morrissey insisted the impact would barely be felt on-screen.

“We still have the same number of blinds,” she said. “We cut an hour here or there. We might see one or two extra truncated [auditions], but not much. I think we’re down to one week less of live shows. That’s where we’re making up a lot of it…we’re trying to make it as minimal impact as possible.”